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When To Prune Lavender Plants

When and how to prune: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage.

What month should I prune lavender?

The best time to prune lavender is in the spring or late summer, but most experts advise two pruning sessions a year – a trim post flowering in the summer and a second, harder pruning in the spring. Monty Don even suggests a third trim in the fall, to help it ‘hold a tight pebble shape’.

Do you trim lavender back in the winter?

A. Unpruned lavenders tend to become woody and have decreased blooms. However, lavender should not be pruned during the winter. Unlike many perennial plants and shrubs that can be pruned now, it is best to wait to prune lavender until after bloom in spring or in early fall before any danger of frost.

What happens if you don’t prune lavender?

An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.

Should I deadhead lavender?

It is good to cut the dead flowers off your lavender plant. Cutting the dead flowers off your lavender plant (​Lavandula​ spp.) is a good habit. Deadheading cleans up the appearance of the lavender plant, prevents the seeds from spreading and may prompt reblooming depending on the variety.

Can I prune lavender in March?

The first trim needs be done by early March. This is the trim that tidies up your plants for summer and encourages lots of flowers. Lavender that was planted last year must not be spared! If the weather turns frosty early, it won’t hurt to cover up your plants for the first few frosts to give them a bit more time.

How much should I cut back lavender for winter?

Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage.

How much should I cut back lavender?

The consensus about clipping lavender is that the leafy, silver-green stems should be cut down to two or three buds above where it becomes hard and woody (leaving about 2cms of the year’s soft growth).

Should you prune lavender in the first year?

When to Prune Lavender If you cut back lavender in its first year, it will put energy towards growing leaves rather than roots and this will make it a weaker plant in the long term. The best time for when to prune lavender is in the spring just as the new growth is starting to come in.

How do you prune an old lavender bush?

The basic rule of pruning lavender is not to trim into brown, dead wood. You’ll usually find brown branches at the base of the plant. Remove them only when they are truly dead. Never cut them back, hoping to stimulate new growth.

How do you look after lavender plants?

Place your container grown lavender plants somewhere they receive full sun (at least eight hours per day) and water them sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, but don’t let it get so dry that the plant wilts. Lavender likes heat, and many varieties won’t survive a cold winter.

Can you cut lavender back to the ground?

Just don’t cut your subshrubs back to the ground. Leave at least four to five obvious nodes above the ground where new growth can emerge. Some subshrubs may initiate new growth from the roots, but don’t depend on it.

Why do lavender plants go woody?

“It’s true that lavender doesn’t regenerate if you cut hard back like this, but you can often find signs of young shoots sprouting from those lower, woody stems. This is a good indication that hard pruning could help to regenerate the plant.

Why is my lavender turning GREY?

Lavender can turn gray because of frost damage or as a result of a fungal disease, caused by over watering or slow draining soils. Usually the fungus botrytis spp is responsible for lavender leaves turning gray although there are a few pathogens that may cause lavenders to turn gray.

Can you trim lavender in summer?

When to Prune Lavender Fedele says that lavender can be lightly trimmed or pruned anytime during the spring and summer. “Ideally, you should prune your lavender twice in a growing season — once in early spring and once in late summer, after it’s done blooming,” she says.

How do you make lavender look good?

For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. Regular pruning twice a year gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and stay in good shape for the next season.

Can I cut lavender back in April?

When to prune lavender Carry out lavender pruning in late August, just after flowering has finished. Don’t leave it too late, as any re-growth will need time to harden up before the first frosts. You can also trim your lavenders in April, but this will delay flowering slightly.